Believe it or not, having a Christmas tree in your home can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. | PxHere.com
Believe it or not, having a Christmas tree in your home can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. | PxHere.com
• Though many people suffer from allergies year-round, the holiday season can be especially triggering.
• Christmas trees, wreaths and other decorations can collect mold and dust.
• The scent of pine from a fresh tree can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms.
Dr. Cody Aull of West Palm Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers spoke with North Palm Beach Today about the causes of allergy flareups.
"Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to something like cats, weeds or grasses, and different things along those lines," Aull told North Palm Beach Today. "We don't necessarily know when a patient's going to get these or if they have them. So checking is always good because you might not necessarily know you have them.”
More than 40 million Americans suffer from year-round allergies, according to WebMD. This can be exacerbated during the holidays due to evergreen trees, wreaths and other decorations around the home. The decorations can attract mold, triggering allergies. Artificial decorations can alleviate the issue, but must be kept in a dry container.
GoodRx reported that the pine scent in Christmas trees and other decorations can be the culprit for allergies. Pine tree sap has a chemical, terpene, that can be a source of irritation of the skin, nose and eyes. Trees that include fake snow, called “flocking,” can release particles in the air, causing irritation as well.
Also, pests like mice, cockroaches and spiders leave droppings in areas that are dark and damp. They may in fact find your decoration bins, which are often stored in garages and basements. These droppings can also cause allergy symptoms in some people.
If you'd like more information on allergy testing and treatment options, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.
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